First Day of Fall

Sunlit outdoor plant nursery with potted plants on display tables, red leaves and berries in the foreground, and tall palm trees silhouetted against a bright blue sky—perfectly capturing the vibrant colors of the Autumn Start.

It’s the first day of Fall here at the Cactus Jungle and the California native grapes are tart and the sun is perfectly aligned behind the palm tree across the street so don’t forget about us for all your Fall plant needs. Like soils! And California native plants! And Agaves of course too.

Ceraria pygmaea

A small, rare plant Ceraria pygmaea with thick, rounded green leaves grows in a square plastic pot filled with coarse, rocky soil. The succulent sits on a wooden surface in bright sunlight.

Ceraria pygmaea is a small, succulent shrub native to the arid regions of southern Namibia and northwestern South Africa. It belongs to the family Didiereaceae. This dwarf plant typically grows to a height of about 10-15 cm and forms dense mats or small clumps. The stems are woody, thick, and covered with small, scale-like leaves that are green and fleshy, often arranged in opposite pairs.

The plant is adapted to survive in harsh, dry environments, exhibiting xerophytic characteristics. It has a slow growth rate and can thrive in poor, sandy soils with minimal water. Ceraria pygmaea blooms in late spring to early summer, producing small, inconspicuous flowers that are pinkish-white and clustered in the axils of the leaves. These flowers are followed by tiny, brownish fruits containing seeds.

Ceraria pygmaea’s unique appearance and hardy nature make it an attractive plant for rock gardens and xeriscaping. It requires minimal care, needing only occasional watering and full sunlight to partial shade for optimal growth.

Cultivating Abundance: The FoxFarm Secret to Lush and Thriving Gardens

A 2g Echinopsis Grandiflora Hybrid cactus with large, vibrant pink blooms sits in a pot outdoors, surrounded by other cacti and succulents.

Have you ever wished your garden could look a little more…fragrant and abuzz with life? As much as we love nurturing our plants, sometimes even the most dedicated care can’t quite spark that explosion of life we crave. 

Here at Cactus Jungle, we understand. 

But what if there was a secret ingredient, a special potion to unlock your garden’s hidden potential? 

FoxFarm’s incredible line of gardening products can help make this a reality. Read More…

Growing and Caring for the Exotic Madagascar Palm

Madagascar Palm

 

If you’re looking for a plant that combines the beauty of a tropical palm with the hardiness of a succulent, you’ll love the Madagascar Palm. (Or Pachypodium lamerei (pak-uh-PO-dee-um) (la-MER-ee-eye) as it’s known scientifically.)

This plant is not a true palm, but a stem succulent that grows a thick trunk covered with spines and a crown of glossy green leaves. 

It can also produce stunning white flowers in summer, adding charm to your garden.

As the name suggests, the Madagascar Palm is native to Madagascar, where it thrives in hot and dry conditions. 

It can grow up to 20 feet tall in its natural habitat but usually stays smaller when grown in pots or containers. 

It’s a great choice for adding height and drama to your space or creating a focal point in your indoor decor.

But, have you ever wondered how to keep a Madagascar Palm looking its best? 

To get these unique plants, with their sleek, spiny trunks and lush leaves, to thrive takes a bit of know-how.

Fear not! 

We’re here to guide you through Madagascar palm care, ensuring your green buddy stays happy and healthy.

Let’s get started! Read More…

Growing String of Hearts: Reimagine Your Space with this Trailing Succulent

The 4 inch String of Hearts features heart-shaped, variegated green leaves and long, slender vines in a green plastic pot.

String of Hearts (Ceropegia woodii) is a trailing succulent that adds a touch of elegance to any space.

The plant has cascading vines and heart-shaped leaves and bears pink, tubular flowers in the summer.

Today, this article explores how to grow String of Hearts. It offers insights and tips to ensure your plant thrives. Let’s get started.

A String of Hearts plant with small, heart-shaped green leaves and graceful trailing succulent vines sits in a brown plastic pot against a solid black background.

Types of String of Hearts Plant

Before we dive into how to grow and care for these gorgeous plants, let’s get to know the different types.  Read More…

Chrysalis

A green butterfly chrysalis hangs from the underside of a long, pointed leaf indoors, with blurred plants and a window in the background.

It’s a chrysalis on the Sarracenia!

We saw a lot of monarchs this year so we’re hopeful 

Starburst

A green and yellow succulent plant grows in a pot filled with small brown rocks, viewed from above with a softly blurred background.

New hybrid, Aeonium “Starburst” with parent plant “Sunburst”


#cactusjungle #cactusjunglemarin
#aeonium #succulent

Echinopsis “Big Bob”

A tall, green Echinopsis Big Bob cactus with a columnar shape grows in a pot filled with rocky soil. Thin wooden stakes support the cactus. The background is out of focus, showing a bright outdoor setting.

I have no idea if this is just something someone told us this was called, but we’ve been growing a few of these extra fat San Pedros and they are ready for sale. Echinopsis pachanoi “Big Bob”. Is this a real name? Did we just make this up? Don’t know! But since we are not currently cultivating them and since I can’t get a confirmation on the name, I’m not adding it to our online encyclopedia. Enjoy them while you can!

Mixed Succulents

A hand holds a small pot featuring a vibrant succulent arrangement with red-tipped leaves and dark pebbles, set against a blurred outdoor background with other plants and sunlight.

It’s cute, because it’s small, but it’s packed full of small succulents too! Small succulents? How cute! 😀

Greenhouse

A greenhouse filled with various cacti and succulents in pots, arranged on shelves and the ground, with sunlight filtering through the transparent roof.

Peak behind the scenes! It’s one of our production greenhouses. Very crowded with all those plants we’re growing. For you!

Succulent Shelves

A wooden plant display shelf holds many small potted succulents in neat rows. A large sign above reads “SUCCULENTS.” The background is simple with natural lighting, perfect for indoor gardening enthusiasts.

Succulent shelves at our Marin store. I mean, they’re shelves and they’re stuffed full with succulents. Succulent Shelves! Cactus Jungle, San Anselmo, CA

Mixed Succulents

A wooden table displays a vibrant succulent arrangement of colorful potted mixed succulents in front of a greenhouse with a sign reading “Cactus Jungle Nursery and Garden.” Additional plants and shelves are visible in the background.

We are fully stocked with mixed succulent pots, in store and online shop too! They’re very nice, you probably agree.

Cactus Jungle’s Response to the Coronavirus

Cactus Jungle will try to stay open for as many hours as possible, with the cooperation of our staff and customers, as an Essential Service because we sell fertilizers, soils, tools, vegetable starts and amendments for food crop production.

Store Rules and Standards
Nobody is required to come in.

Customers: 6ft separation for us all.
Employees empowered to demand someone leave
If you have to cough or sneeze please leave immediately. Use Kleenex or the inside of your elbow always
Do not come up to Workers, do not attempt to shake their hand.
Credit card only, no cash. Cash Handling means 7 people min. will handle the bills so No Cash.
Carry out to gate only, no bringing to or in cars.
1-person non-contact deliveries through our online store or in person to our delivery zones available w/$25 min. sale.
Gel Hand Sanitizer bottles on counter for customers

Additional for Staff: follow current Posted Social Distance Protocol, wash hands always
Tape out 6ft lines at register
Use Gloves, spray with alcohol each time you touch a pot or container from a customer
One register open only
No Signatures. Pen is pulled to register only and Staff draws a line with pen and clicks the button, then sprays the pen.
Spray every basket down after every use with Bleach Solution.
Wipe down every computer and device before using every time.
Wall-mtd Hand Sanitizer is behind counters for staff, plus many spray bottles at register, office, break room, BOH
Feeling unsure or nervous or not liking this anymore? You may go home, no consequences.

Sick Time Policy During the Crisis
Working Staff now has unlimited sick time, do not come in if sick, go home if sick

Stay safe, from Hap and Peter and the entire Cactus Jungle team.

New Shop online for Local Delivery!

Rows of small potted succulents in various pastel colors and shapes are arranged neatly on tables, creating a vibrant and diverse display—perfect for choosing favorites from our online shop with convenient local delivery available.

Cactus Jungle is now offering local delivery of select goods and plants to our local areas. We are offering only non-contact deliveries at this time. All deliveries will be on Mondays and Tuesdays, dropped at the door, and we will call/text to let you know. Our employees are following the strictest and latest requirements from Cal-OSHA to prevent the spread of the Covid-19

To start we are offering Delivery only within the city limits of Berkeley, Albany and Emeryville; San Anselmo, San Rafael and Ross; Oakland; San Francisco. Please bear with us as we establish this new delivery service.

Please note that as circumstances change, our delivery options may change as well. We will be adding and removing products frequently so please check back.

Cactus Jungle Closure

Cactus Jungle’s Berkeley and Marin stores are currently closed for our Counties’ Shelter-in-Place orders, currently scheduled to last through April 7th.

We will return as soon as we are able.

If you would like to support us at this time may I suggest a digital gift card from our online shop? These will be good for both of our stores as soon as we are able to reopen.

Thank you for your kindness and support

Stay safe, Peter and Hap

Rose Mink

A close-up of a pink protea flower bud surrounded by green leaves, with sunlight highlighting the textures and colors of the petals and foliage.

It’s Protea blooming season, so that’s a very good time of year. Right now! Blooming!

Protea “Rose Mink”

Common Name: Greyleaf Sugarbush
Origin: South Africa

P. laurifolia “Rose Mink”
Evergreen Shrub

Large pink flowers appear in mid-winter, with fine black and white hairs. grey-green leaves. Do not fertilize.

Temperature: Hardy to 25°F

Sun: Full Sun

In the Greenhouse

A plant shop interior with various potted plants on shelves and tables, surrounded by trays of colorful minerals and stones in wooden bowls. Decorative animal figurines are displayed on a shelf in the background.

Cactus Jungle Berkeley and the greenhouse is nice and cozy! The sun is playing hide and seek today, but we have #dracaena and #bromeliads and #gemstones and #airplants and #houseplants and #rareplants all hanging out in the cozy greenhouse.

Oxalis palmifrons

A close-up of several delicate green leaves with long stems, resembling tiny palm trees, growing from a pot filled with small pebbles against a black background.

Origin: South Africa

Winter growing bulb with light pink flowers. Amazing palmate leaves. Will go dormant in the summer heat.

Temperature: Hardy to 15F

Full Sun to Part Sun

Epi Flowers

Close-up of a large, vibrant pink cactus flower with layered petals and prominent yellow and white stamens, set against green foliage and indoor potted plants in the background.

We have a beautiful crop of mixed Epiphyllum in bloom, at the same time, at both stores! Berkeley? Yes! Marin? Sure!

Nice.

Epi Flowers

Close-up of a large, vibrant pink cactus flower with layered petals and prominent yellow and white stamens, set against green foliage and indoor potted plants in the background.

We have a beautiful crop of mixed Epiphyllum in bloom, at the same time, at both stores! Berkeley? Yes! Marin? Sure!

Nice.

Black Spined Agave

A close-up of a spiky agave plant with thick, pointed pale green leaves featuring dark tips. Other potted succulent plants and shelves are visible blurred in the background.

Agave “Pablo’s Choice” has a certain fresh blue leaf color.

A. macroacantha “Pablo’s Choice”

1 to 2ft. blue-grey Agave, compact and low. Large black terminal spines, recurved marginal spines. Full sun at the coast. Will form dense clusters that can spread 3 to 5 feet wide. Cultivar originated near Santa Barbara. Plant in fast-draining soil, grows fast with summer water.

Works well in gardens or in containers.

Temperature: Hardy to 25F

Christmas Cactus

A close-up of a potted Christmas cactus with vibrant pink and white flowers and green, segmented leaves, set against a black background.

It’s Christmas Cactus season!

Schlumbergera hybrids have the best flowers.

Christmas Cactus will bloom for up to 2 months in the winter. A jungle cactus that grows in trees – needs bright indirect sun, or dappled light

Tips to get your Christmas Cactus to re-bloom every year:
1. August, September and into October: Use bloom food every time you water
2. September and October: 14 hours of darkness, with 8-10 hours of indirect light every day
3. November and December: bring out to bright indirect light and watch it bloom!

Cactus Jungle, Marin

Exterior of Cactus Jungle Nursery and Garden with wooden slat facade, green signage, and potted plants visible through large windows. Several cars are parked in front of the store.

Cactus Jungle Marin is ready for you and all your holiday shopping needs. Wreaths! Gifts! Plants! Pots! Handmade thingies!

More Blooming Cacti

A bright pink cactus flower with a yellow and white center blooms atop a green cactus stem, surrounded by other blooming cacti in a vibrant garden setting.

A late blooming Echinopsis grandiflora hybrid that we like to call “Tropical Pink”. Nice!

Cactus Jungle, Marin Grand Opening

Outdoor plant nursery with various potted cacti and succulents on display under a wooden pergola. Celebrate the Grand Opening of Cactus Jungle in Marin, March 16-18, 2018—visit for location and contact details.
We are having our Grand Opening for our new Marin store in San Anselmo, CA all weekend long!

Cactus Jungle, Marin
130 Sir Francis Drake Blvd
San Anselmo, CA 94960
415 870-9930

A nursery and garden store called Cactus Jungle, specializing in Bay Area cactus and succulents, with a modern wood slat exterior, large windows, and a parking lot in front on a sunny day.

March 16-18 San Anselmo Grand Opening Schedule of Events:
Open 10a-5p

March 16 – 30 Berkeley and San Anselmo
• 30% OFF Pottery Sale – All outdoor terra cotta, glazed and concrete pots and planters are 30% Off, handmade artist pots not included.

San Anselmo Grand Opening:
March 16 – 18

• Free Coffee in the morning and wine/beer/cider late in the day.
• Snacks all day, including Vegan and GF options.
• Plant Raffles each day, come by and see what we’re raffling off!

March 16, Friday
10a-5p Cactus Jungle Staff available for repot help at our Potting Station.
Do you have a plant that you keep meaning to repot, but keep putting it off because you’re not sure what to do? Bring it in and our staff will help you pick the right soil, the right pot, and show you how to repot it!
3pm Cactus and Succulents 101 with Peter Lipson
Ever wondered why succulents are, well, succulent? Do you know the difference between a cactus and a succulent? Have you been pondering why we love these plants so much? Get answers to these questions and more that you didn’t even know you had with Peter, one of the owners of Cactus Jungle.

March 17, Saturday
11am Houseplants 101 – How to select and care for your houseplants with Kali Lader
Learn all about the latest trends in houseplants, how to pick them for your home and how to keep them alive through quality care.
3pm Propagating Succulents 101- Magic! With Anne Smith
Come talk to our Production Manager, Anne, and learn some of the tricks of the trade of propagating succulents! Learn how to take cuttings, root them out, and go from a single piece of plant to a big healthy succulent.

March 18, Sunday
3pm Dangerous Plants: How to handle plants that fight back with Hap Hollibaugh
Hap, Owner of Cactus Jungle, will show you how we repot and propagate our most spiny and stabby of plants as safely as can be done!

April 2026
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